Projects led by three Polytechnique professors receive funding from the Canada Foundation for innovation and the Government of Québec

Professors Éric Laurendeau, Oussama Moutanabbir, and Mohammad Sharawi have been awarded funding from the prestigious John-R.-Evans Leaders Fund (Canada Foundation for Innovation) and the Government of Québec for their innovative research projects.

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Government of Canada Minister of Science and Sport, announced a federal investment of over $61 million, allocated to support investment in laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment for the completion of 261 research projects. Polytechnique Montréal is one of 40 universities to have received funding through the CFI John R. Evans Leaders Fund, reserved for cutting-edge projects.

“Researchers in Canada know that cutting-edge tools and labs are necessary for discoveries and innovation – that’s why the government is announcing funding for the infrastructure needs of Canadian researchers. Their ground-breaking contributions to science and research have an enormous impact on the breakthroughs that help make our visions for a better future a reality,” said Minister Duncan.

“Canada’s leading researchers require cutting-edge infrastructure to solve global challenges. At the Canada Foundation for Innovation, we’re proud to invest in their work and in our nation’s future,” stated Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation

Projects at Polytechnique Montréal

Professor Éric Laurendeau from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, received $124,387 from the John R. Evans Foundation Leaders Fund (CFI), and $124,387 from the Government of Québec. His research examines interdisciplinary aerothermodynamic analysis and design methods for transport aircraft; total project value amounts to $339,190.

Professor Osama Moutanabbir from the Department of Engineering Physics received $250,000 for his research from the same above-mentioned fund, an amount that was matched by Government of Québec funding. Prof Moutanabbir’s research is focused on physical property measurement systems for nanostructured and quantum semiconductors; total project value is $949,436.

Associate Professor Mohammad Sharawi from the Department of Electrical Engineering, received $133,451 from the John R. Evans Leaders Fund as well as the same amount ($133,451) from the Government of Québec; his research undertakes the testing and characterization of 5G wireless devices. The total project value is $458,786.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund (Canada Foundation for Innovation) enables a select number of institutions to attract and retain top-quality researchers. The fund also enables institutions to acquire the infrastructure required to support cutting-edge researchers, and to remain internationally competitive in terms of recruitment – including offering institutions the opportunity to create competitive research support packages in the form of infrastructure and a portion of the operating and maintenance costs, coupled with direct research costs from partner organizations.

The Canadian Foundation for Innovation

Created in 1997 by the Government of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation endeavours to increase Canadian researchers’ capacity to lead world-class research and technology development projects. CFI's investment in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment enables universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to attract and retain the world's best researchers, train the next generation of scientists, support innovation in the private sector; and to create quality jobs that strengthen Canada's position in the knowledge economy.

This communication was first published on 16 August 2019 by Polytechnique Montréal.